How new blackout rule impacts Bengals

Team now has option of reducing listed capacity

6:25 AM,
Jul. 3, 2012

Last season, the Bengals had a league-high six blackouts and were one of four teams to average less than 85 percent of capacity for home games. The Bengals were at a league-low 75.2 percent followed by Miami (81 percent), Washington (83.9) and Buffalo (84.8). Tampa Bay and St. Louis were at 85 percent.

Written by

Joe Reedy
jreedy@enquirer.com

After years of remaining steadfast about its blackout rule, the NFL is relaxing some of the requirements.

The Wall Street Journal reported last weekend that league owners passed a resolution during their Spring Meetings in May to give teams greater flexibility in setting their benchmark for selling tickets. They now have the option of reducing their listed capacity by as much as 15 percent.

In the case of the Bengals that means they could reduce the listed capacity of Paul Brown Stadium by as many as 9,826 seats. The official listed capacity of PBS last season was 65.515. ...